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BBC Radio 2 has axed three of its longest-running shows, and their veteran male presenters, in a station shake-up that promotes women.

Listen to the Band, a weekly mix of brass and military band music hosted by Frank Renton for the past 23 years, is to go, as is The Organist Returns, presented by Nigel Ogden.

Renton and Ogden will be replaced in their late night slots by Sara Cox, who has a new 10pm-midnight show offering an “upbeat playlist” and interviews with theatre, film and music stars.

Paul Jones, the former Manfred Mann singer and presenter of a Radio 2 rhythm and blues show for more than 30 years, is also leaving the station. His Monday night show will be taken over by Cerys Matthews.

Cerys Matthews said hosting the blues show on Radio 2 is "a dream come true"Credit:
Jay Williams

Jo Whiley will partner Simon Mayo on a new drivetime show - the first time a woman has presented a primetime weekday show on the station for 20 years.

After an outcry over the cancellation of After Midnight, live programming will return to Radio 2 overnight with a midnight-3am show presented by OJ Borg.

And Gary Davies, a Radio 1 presenter in the 1980s, will host a weekly Friday night show.

Lewis Carnie, head of Radio 2, said the station needed to “refresh” its specialist genres. The Organist Entertains and Listen to the Band “have been long-serving programmes on Radio 2 but as the audience evolves we have to reflect what best serves their needs.”

Mr Carnie said the programmes would be “resting”. But Frank Renton told the Telegraph: “The programme is finished. I have been doing it for 23 years. I’m very sad.

“Listeners will be equally upset because there are a large number of people involved in band culture in Great Britain, and they enjoy their weekly outing with BBC Radio 2 and now they have lost it.

“I’ve no quibbles with the BBC. I’ve been there for a long time so they treated me with a great deal of respect, but at the end of the day you’re getting the sack.”

Sara Cox will present a new live show from 10pm-midnight every Monday-ThursdayCredit:
Andrew Crowley

The BBC said brass music would continue on the station, featuring in other programmes.

Nigel Ogden said it had been a “privilege” to present his organ music show for 38 years. “Nothing lasts forever and it has had a great run. Obviously people in higher places than me have plans for Radio 2. It’s sad that it has come to an end.

“The reason is simply that changes need to be made from time to time to reflect changes in the majority of listeners’ tastes. We’ve certainly had a good and loyal audience and I think, were the programme to remain, that dedicated audience would remain.”

Paul Jones thanked listeners for tuning in over the decades but said it was time “to hand over the baton”.